"Good writing takes enormous concentration." _{- Snoopy}

In this chapter, you will find

• a definition of transition
• types of transitions
• transitional techniques
• exercises

Definition

In essence, a transition is a word, group of words, or technique that allows a writer to provide a smooth, logical flow from one sentence to the next or one paragraph to the next. A writer's choice of which transition to use rests on the relationship between the two sentences or paragraphs that he is joining. By effectively using transitions, a writer can make his flow of reasoning more transparent and available to the reader. By making the line of reasoning clearly visible, the author practically forces his reader to see an issue in the way he does, and any good writer wishes to forcefully communicate his view.

One thing to keep in mind is that transitions are most important in four areas:

1. from the introduction to the thesis statement,
2. from the thesis statement to the first topic sentence,
3. from one paragraph to another, and
4. from the last sentence of the final major paragraph to the conclusion

Be very careful of your choice of transition in these areas, for here are the key spots in your essay where your logical flow can break down.